Cody Johnson loves the music rodeo, but he’s hanging up his saddle for a much-needed break.
The award-winning country music star, 38, has been forced to cancel the remainder of his Leather Deluxe Tour due to a debilitating ear issue, according to a statement shared on Johnson’s social media channels Tuesday, Oct. 7.
The global trek kicked off in January, with Johnson performing across the U.S., Europe and Oceania. The singer was scheduled to perform at least six more shows through the end of the year, including an Oct. 18 concert at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, per Johnson’s official website.
“It is with a very heavy heart I have to share the remainder of this year’s concert performances will not be able to happen,” Johnson said in the statement. “While battling a severe upper respiratory and sinus infection, I burst my eardrum. The severity of the rupture means I must undergo immediate surgery.”
In terms of his recovery time, Johnson added that the “healing process will take many weeks,” preventing him from being able to sing.
“Without the surgery, my downtime could be months,” Johnson concluded. “I pray for full healing so I can get well and return to doing what I love. Thank you COJO Nation for the love and support, now, and always.”
According to Johnson’s post, fans will receive an update on the status of their ticket purchase via email.
The Leather Deluxe Tour followed Johnson’s 2024 Leather Tour, a headlining series that included 30 sold-out concerts and a stadium show at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
From bull rider to singing sensation, Cody Johnson breaks out in country music
The Texas-born former bull rider has been recording albums since 2006, although his first from a major label was 2019’s “Ain’t Nothin’ to It.” The album peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and featured the song “Dear Rodeo,” which he performed with country queen Reba McEntire.
“I left the rodeo because I just wasn’t good enough,” Johnson told country music magazine Holler in November 2023. “As a bull rider, you’re either born with something like that, or you have enough athletic ability to adapt while you’re still learning the ropes. I didn’t have either. I had the passion, but that just wasn’t where God wanted me to be.”
Johnson followed up his mainstream debut with the double album “Human” in 2021. Lead single “‘Til You Can’t” spent nine weeks atop Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. His latest album, “Leather,” was released in November 2023 and featured a collaboration with Grammy-nominated country star Jelly Roll.
A sign of his rising star status, Johnson won best new country artist at the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards, while his song “‘Til You Can’t” scored single of the year and music video of the year at the Country Music Association Awards the previous year. He has also been nominated for numerous Academy of Country Music Awards.
Last July, Johnson performed the national anthem at the 2024 MLB All-Star Game. He’s scheduled to headline the 2026 Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California, next April alongside Lainey Wilson and Post Malone.
